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Science News Archive March 2025


Page 39 of 51

Are volcanoes behind the oxygen we breathe?

New research suggests that volcanic activity billions of years ago accelerated oxygenation, leading to an increase in atmospheric oxygen. This pre-Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) may have provided the necessary conditions for photosynthetic microorganisms to thrive, ultimately paving the way for complex life.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Hiring strategies

A new study in JSTAT introduces a hiring strategy model that suggests dividing candidates into two groups: those to be evaluated and rejected upfront, and those to be selected based on their performance relative to previous hires. The optimal approach depends on the company's objective, balancing quality and speed.

Can a joke make science more trustworthy?

A new study published in JCOM found that humor can aid scientists' communication efforts, but only if people think they're funny. The research shows that humor can simplify complex concepts, making them more relatable and easier to understand, and has the potential to dispel misinformation in a friendly manner.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Machine learning for high-performance photovoltaics

Researchers used deep learning to predict perovskite solar cell material characteristics and efficiency levels. Machine learning helped identify process errors before finishing, improving data analysis speed and effectiveness.

New measurement technique sheds light on bonding properties of actinides

Researchers used a special measurement technique called M4 resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to analyze the electronic structure and bonding properties of actinide atoms. They found that careful measurement enables a better understanding of actinide atoms' electronic structure and bonding properties.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A longer, sleeker super predator: Megalodon’s true form

Researchers used a novel approach to estimate megalodon's body length and shape, finding it closer in shape to a lemon shark or large whale. The study suggests the prehistoric predator may have reached about 80 feet in length and weighed an estimated 94 tons.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

USC researchers observe mice may have a form of first aid

Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine discovered that mice display a form of 'first aid' behavior when helping unconscious peers, with actions ranging from gentle grooming to forceful tongue-pulling. This behavior is similar to human emergency responses and may be linked to the activation of oxytocin neuropeptides.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Vanderbilt lung transplant establishes new record

The Vanderbilt Lung Transplant program performed a record-breaking 99 lung transplants in 2024, with two combined organ transplants. The program leads the nation in innovation in organ preservation and regeneration, and has the busiest program in the Southeast.

University of Tennessee unveils Kairos Power Training Simulator Laboratory

The University of Tennessee has unveiled a new Operator Training Simulator Laboratory in partnership with Kairos Power. The lab will provide hands-on training for reactor operators and serve as a hub for UT students entering the advanced nuclear industry. It features state-of-the-art human-machine interfaces and simulates KP-FHR dynamics.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Future innovators take over UTA at science fair

The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.

Effort seeks to increase cancer-gene testing in primary care

Researchers assess two approaches to test patients' hereditary cancer risks in primary care clinics, finding the point-of-care approach increases completion rates while the direct patient engagement method boosts testing rates among those eligible. The study's goal is to develop ways to improve uptake and reduce barriers to testing.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

VUMC to develop AI technology for therapeutic antibody discovery

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center aim to use artificial intelligence technologies to generate antibody therapies against specific antigen targets. The project, funded by $30 million from ARPA-H, will create a massive antibody-antigen atlas and develop AI-based algorithms to engineer antigen-specific antibodies.

Study reveals widening heart disease disparities in the US

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas highlights growing divide in cardiovascular health in the US, showing that wealth and education play a significant role in heart disease risk. The research reveals that high-income, college-educated Americans face far fewer health risks than the rest of the population.

The role of ubiquitination in cancer stem cell regulation

This review highlights the critical role of ubiquitination in governing cancer stem cell (CSC) functionality, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets. The Ub system regulates key pathways essential for CSC maintenance and survival, particularly through E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Bringing expansion microscopy to plants

Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.

GIFs helping footballers to sleep better

A recent study by the University of Kent found that short animations known as GIFs can improve the sleep of professional female footballers. The researchers designed bespoke GIF messages with sleep hygiene tips and implemented them across a two-week period, leading to significant improvements in sleep quality, even during mid-season.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

LearningEMS: A new framework for electric vehicle energy management

LearningEMS provides a unified platform for various EV configurations, supporting detailed comparisons of multiple algorithms and benchmarks. The study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, emphasizing the importance of state, reward, and action settings in RL-based EMS optimization.

Stretching spider silk makes it stronger

Researchers discovered that aligning protein chains and increasing hydrogen bonds through stretching make spider silk stronger, tougher, and more elastic. The study aims to design engineered silk-inspired proteins for strong, biodegradable materials like sutures and body armor.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed

Researchers discovered that sulfur bacteria from the Desulfobacteraceae family work together like a team to break down diverse organic compounds. By analyzing six strains, they found similar molecular strategies and a highly energy-efficient central metabolism pathway, enabling them to thrive in oxygen-free environments.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Earth's orbital rhythms link timing of giant eruptions and climate change

Researchers found a synchronization between geological climate archives and large-scale volcanic eruptions in the Deccan Traps, which may have caused mass extinctions. The study suggests that changes in Earth's orbit around the sun regulate the amount of incoming solar radiation, affecting global climate patterns.